weapon

1 an object such as a knife, gun, bomb, etc. that is used for fighting or attacking somebodynuclear weaponsa lethal/deadly weaponThe police still haven't found the murder weapon.He was charged with carrying an offensive weapon.Wordfinderarmy,artillery,battalion,command,defend,invade,officer,regiment,tactics,weaponCollocationsWar and peaceStarting a wardeclare/​make/​wage war (on somebody/​something)go to war (against/​with somebody)cause/​spark/​provoke/​foment/​quell unrestincite/​lead/​crush/​suppress a revolt/​rebellionlaunch/​mount/​carry out a surprise/​terrorist attackprevent/​halt/​represent an escalation of the conflictbe torn apart by/​be on the brink of civil warenter/​invade/​occupy somebody’s territorylead/​launch/​resist/​repel an invasionMilitary operationsadopt/​develop/​implement/​pursue a military strategycarry out/​execute/​perform military operations/​manoeuvres/(especially US English) maneuverssend/​deploy/​station/​pull back/​withdraw troopsgo on/​fly/​carry out a reconnaissance/​rescue missiontrain/​equip/​deploy army/​military/​combat unitslead/​launch/​conduct a raid/​a surprise attack/​an (air/​airborne/​amphibious) assault (on somebody)employ/​use guerrilla tacticsconduct/​wage biological/​guerrilla warfarefight/​crush/​defeat the rebels/​the insurgencysuffer/​inflict a crushing defeatachieve/​win a decisive victoryhalt/​stop the British/​German/​Russian advanceorder/​force a retreatFightingjoin/​serve in the army/​navy/​air forcebe/​go/​remain/​serve on active dutyserve/​complete/​return from a tour of dutybe sent to the front (line)attack/​strike/​engage/​defeat/​kill/​destroy the enemysee/​report/​be engaged in heavy fightingcall for/​be met with armed resistancecome under heavy/​machine-gun/​mortar firefire a machine-gun/​mortar shells/​rockets (at somebody/​something)shoot a rifle/​a pistol/​bullets/​missileslaunch/​fire a cruise/​ballistic/​anti-tank missileuse biological/​chemical/​nuclear weaponsinflict/​suffer/​sustain heavy losses/​casualtiesbe hit/​killed by enemy/​friendly/​artillery firebecome/​be held as a prisoner of warCivilians in warharm/​kill/​target/​protect innocent/​unarmed civilianscause/​avoid/​limit/​minimize civilian casualties/​collateral damageimpose/​enforce/​lift a curfewengage in/​be a victim of ethnic cleansingbe sent to an internment/​a concentration campaccept/​house/​resettle refugees fleeing from warfear/​threaten military/​violent reprisalscommit/​be accused of war crimes/​crimes against humanity/​genocideMaking peacemake/​bring/​win/​achieve/​maintain/​promote peacecall for/​negotiate/​broker/​declare a ceasefire/​a temporary trucesign a ceasefire agreementcall for/​bring/​put an end to hostilitiesdemand/​negotiate/​accept the surrender of somebody/​somethingestablish/​send (in) a peacekeeping forcenegotiate/​conclude/​ratify/​sign/​accept/​reject/​break/​violate a peace treatysee alsobiological weapon,chemical weapon

2 something such as knowledge, words, actions, etc. that can be used to attack or fight against somebody/somethingEducation is the only weapon to fight the spread of the disease.Guilt is the secret weapon for the control of children.

Word OriginOld Englishwǣp(e)n, of Germanic origin; related to Dutchwapen and GermanWaffe.Extra examples‘Load your weapons!’ Barrett ordered.A massive weapons cache was uncovered.Drop your weapons, or he dies!He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.She pleaded guilty to carrying an offensive weapon.She used humour and wit as weapons against her enemies.The armed men lowered their weapons and stepped aside.The assault forces used heavy weapons, including anti-tank rockets and mortars.The guards began to draw their weapons.The team’s secret weapon was their new young defender.The workers’ ultimate weapon was the strike.This relaxation technique can serve as an effective weapon against stress.a ban on the use of tactical nuclear weaponsa biological weapons facilitya sophisticated weapons platformarrested for carrying a concealed weaponnuclear weapons proliferationstates developing weapons of mass destructionstates that have acquired nuclear weaponsthe illegal transfer of weapons technology to hostile countries14 people were killed when men armed with automatic weapons opened fire on the crowd.Almost any bladed or sharply pointed article is potentially a lethal weapon.He was charged with carrying an offensive weapon.Modern nuclear weapons are much more destructive than either biological or chemical weapons.The police still haven’t found the murder weapon.Idioms